PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Keisuke Takasugi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Bengazzoni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Takasugi
vs
Bengazzoni

177 cm
27
179 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

183 cm
27
181 lbs
16 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Keisuke Takasugi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Benjamin Bengazzoni!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Sano and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bengazzoni connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Takasugi shoots in for a double leg but Bengazzoni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bengazzoni misses with a body kick.
Bengazzoni pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bengazzoni connects with a jab.
Bengazzoni throws a looping overhand right but Takasugi ducks down to avoid it.
Takasugi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bengazzoni sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Takasugi somewhat.
Bengazzoni throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Takasugi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bengazzoni has Takasugi up against the cage in a clinch.
Takasugi looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keisuke Takasugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takasugi has picked Bengazzoni up - he's going for a ride! Takasugi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bengazzoni is looking to improve his position.

Takasugi looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bengazzoni wants to control but Takasugi is keeping busy.
Takasugi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bengazzoni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bengazzoni blocking the ground and pound attempt from Takasugi.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takasugi content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bengazzoni manages to get to full guard.
Takasugi trying to control but Bengazzoni is working from the bottom.
Takasugi passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bengazzoni tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Takasugi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Bengazzoni is still trying to improve position.
Bengazzoni struggling a bit here.
Bengazzoni is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Takasugi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bengazzoni is holding on to half guard well.
Bengazzoni wants to improve his position but Takasugi is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Takasugi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bengazzoni keeps working.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Takasugi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bengazzoni wants to control but Takasugi is keeping busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bengazzoni closes the distance and clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bengazzoni has a couple of punches blocked by Takasugi.

Bengazzoni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Takasugi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bengazzoni looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bengazzoni is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Bengazzoni dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Takasugi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bengazzoni.
Takasugi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bengazzoni sprawls and moves away.
Takasugi shoots in for a double leg but Bengazzoni sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bengazzoni loads up on a big right hand but Takasugi slips the punch.
A cross from Bengazzoni lands.

Bengazzoni fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Takasugi, pushing him back against the cage.
Bengazzoni misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bengazzoni scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bengazzoni fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Takasugi fails to land.

Bengazzoni's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Benjamin Bengazzoni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bengazzoni connects with the punch.
Bengazzoni misses with an uppercut. Takasugi saw that one coming.
Takasugi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bengazzoni just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bengazzoni scores with a jab to the head.
Bengazzoni cracks Takasugi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bengazzoni looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Takasugi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bengazzoni getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bengazzoni looks to throw the jab but Takasugi is out of range.
Takasugi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Takasugi avoids the body shot from Bengazzoni.
Takasugi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bengazzoni sprawls and moves away.
Takasugi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bengazzoni swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Takasugi attempts a counter takedown but Bengazzoni avoids it well and moves away.
Keisuke Takasugi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bengazzoni works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Takasugi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Bengazzoni did well to prevent Takasugi getting side control.

Bengazzoni pushes Takasugi off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bengazzoni tries to clinch but Takasugi moves out of range.
Takasugi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Takasugi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bengazzoni.
Takasugi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bengazzoni might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bengazzoni is looking to slow Takasugi down with leg kicks.
Bengazzoni connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bengazzoni leaves Takasugi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A jab from Bengazzoni does it's job there.
Bengazzoni misses with a right hand

and Takasugi counters with a single leg into guard. Bengazzoni didn't expect that.
Bengazzoni is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bengazzoni wants to stand and escape but Takasugi is having none of it.
Takasugi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bengazzoni can't keep his opponent in guard - Takasugi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bengazzoni is looking for a sweep. Takasugi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nice strikes from Takasugi there.
Takasugi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bengazzoni is trying to control but can't.

Takasugi is looking for a kimura but Bengazzoni is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Takasugi to get the leverage.
Takasugi trying to control from half guard but Bengazzoni is working away.
Takasugi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Takasugi seems to be looking for submissions.

Takasugi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bengazzoni is just riding it out for now. Takasugi eventually gives up the hold.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Takasugi looks to land a strike but Bengazzoni avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Bengazzoni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Bengazzoni fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Takasugi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Takasugi walks into a jab.

Bengazzoni has Takasugi up against the cage in a clinch.
Bengazzoni working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bengazzoni works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Takasugi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bengazzoni gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Takasugi trying to control the position but instead, Bengazzoni has worked for underhooks and has pushed Takasugi into the cage.
Bengazzoni lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Takasugi backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bengazzoni throws a punch but it's blocked by Takasugi.

Bengazzoni's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Bengazzoni rushes Takasugi and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bengazzoni.

Bengazzoni escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Takasugi ducks right into an uppercut from Bengazzoni.
Benjamin Bengazzoni seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Takasugi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bengazzoni sprawls well. Bengazzoni wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Takasugi gets slowly back to his feet.
Bengazzoni scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bengazzoni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Takasugi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bengazzoni manages to circle out of the way.
Bengazzoni lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bengazzoni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Takasugi manages to avoid it.

Bengazzoni clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bengazzoni scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bengazzoni.
Bengazzoni has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bengazzoni lands a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Takasugi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Keisuke Takasugi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bengazzoni.
Bengazzoni lands a right hand that snaps the head of Takasugi backwards.
Benjamin Bengazzoni seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Takasugi trying to stall but Bengazzoni improves his position.

Bengazzoni breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheers as Bengazzoni lands an impressive looking overhand right. Takasugi doesn't seem phased though.
Takasugi misses with a body shot.
Bengazzoni feints a counter leg kick.
Takasugi scores with a jab to the head.
A jab from Bengazzoni finds it's way through Takasugi's defenses.
Bengazzoni tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takasugi slips under a jab.
Bengazzoni lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bengazzoni digs a good body shot into Takasugi's ribs.
Bengazzoni smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bengazzoni throws a low kick but it's checked well by Takasugi.
Takasugi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Takasugi misses its target.
Benjamin Bengazzoni is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Takasugi shoots for a takedown but Bengazzoni saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bengazzoni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Bengazzoni tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Takasugi attempts a counter takedown but Bengazzoni avoids it well and moves away.
Bengazzoni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bengazzoni dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bengazzoni throws a big shot that misses.
Bengazzoni lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bengazzoni chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Takasugi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Takasugi shoots in for a takedown but Bengazzoni shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bengazzoni tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Takasugi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takasugi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bengazzoni lands with an uppercut that bounces Takasugi off the cage and back into range.

Bengazzoni moves into range and clinches up with Takasugi.
Takasugi wants a takedown.
Bengazzoni lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Keisuke Takasugi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Takasugi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Bengazzoni is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Bengazzoni comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bengazzoni winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 26:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 26:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Bengazzoni!
Our winner, Benjamin Bengazzoni, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.